St. Landry democrat., 1887-08-06

thetically: Here's the charm, my good
fellow. You see it is a magic ring. Put on
before you go to the fete, and be sure you
dance with every maiden there. When you
place your arm around the waist of the one
whose heart is true and good a strange feel
| ing will run through you and your hand
will cling to her"
Gustavus, greatly wondering, thanked the
wizard and slipped on the ring. 1t was
curious circet of iron. with fiat extension,
which the wizard babe him wear, pointing
toward his palm.
When the fete day came Gustavus was
there among the other young men, eager to
! try his charm. All the maidens of Obgadin
canton were there also, and on the outskirts
of one of the gay crowds little Marie lowered
timidlv beside her mother.
'Why, didst thou come, Marie?" asked
one of the girls "didst thou think any
youth would want to dance with a mouse
to-day?'
Then seeing the quick tears trembling on
Marie's lashes, she added s1ore kindly:
''Ah, well, thou canst at least see our good
times; and what a lovely belt thou hast,
Marie! Where didst thou get t?'
''The wizard gave it her." the widow Neur
answered shortly, for she did not relish the
girls tone.
Come, Marie let us sit here under the
trees and watch the dance"
Marie nestled close to her mothers side,
and as the hours fed and no youth asked
her to dance her head dropped lower and
lower, and she wondered if the wise man
had made mistake.
In the meantime Gustavus danced with one
after another of the maids, but though he
watched with intense eagerness not once did
he feel the strange thrill for which he
waited.
II have danced with them ALL" he said at
last to himself, except that shy one over
there; surely she is not the girl. But, as
promised to dance with every one, | will try
her too" He asked her name of one of the
girls, and then going to her said simply:
Marie, wilt thou dance with me?'
Astonishment and delight made Marie for
a moment forget her shyness. The wizards
words had come true. Rising quickly, she
said, smiling upon him, and showing her
beautiful eyes, already dancing with de-
light:
art thou cOme?'
"She is not so plain after ALL" thought
Gustavus, as he answered.
"Wast thou looking for me- Marie?'
Marie hung her head without answering.
and Gustavus, wondering a little at her
words led her to the dance.
AS he placed his arm around her, his hand
touched her shining belt. Instantly a strange
thrill ran through them both. and GustavuS'
arm seemed to cling to Marie's waist.
Marie, didst thou feel that" he cried earn
estly.
And Marie smlingly answered, Yes"
So they began dancing. and as they danced
it seemed to those watching them that a
wonderful transformation came over Marie.
Her hair, shaken loose from its long stiff
braids, hung like a glittering golden veil all
around her her beautiful eyes sparkled and
shone like stars, aud the dl!npled cheeks and
pearly teeth formed fit hiding place for the
laughing voice that now and then rang
sweet and clear from her rosy lips.
Surely" said the amazed villagers, there
was never such handsome COUPLE but is
not Marie under charm, she has suddenly
grown so lovely?"
But the widow Neur smiled to herself
and said, Loves witchery, if it is true and
pure, will transform all of us, and bring out
all that is loveliest and best within US
AS for Gustavus, he thought rightly that
he had never seen so good and beautiful a
creature, and he blessed the wizard for the
charm which had led his heart to her.
Long before the summer ended, GuStayuS
took home little Marie to be his own and his
mother greatest JOY and happiness.
When Monsieur lie Wizard returned to
Paris that winter he read a scientific paper
before the savants of the academy. In it he
detailed many of his wonderful discoveries
and his work during the summer; but he
n, u lyof Irfn
how, by the aid Of little magnet concealed
in a steel belt and a rude ring he had brought
together two loving human hearts. and by
so doing had caught some of the happiness
of Paradise and imprisoned it in chalet on
old Obgadin Mountain.